(See Tassie's
_Gems_, introd.--Here, by the by, are mentioned celebrated emeralds,
which have turned out to be only lumps of green glass!)
Lhuyd relates that the cross was honoured in N. America before the
arrival of the Spaniards, and Sir R. Manley (_Turk. Spy_, vol.
viii.) states that they found crucifixes also. Unfortunately for this
hypothesis, it has been shown, by G. Becanus (_Hierogl._, see Index),
Olaus Wormius (_De Danicis Monumentis_, see Index), M. Ficinus (_De
Vita coelitus Propaganda_, l. iii. c. 18.), and Kircherus (_Prodromus
Coptus_, p. 163.), that in various countries the cross was, before
the Christian era, an object of veneration, and symbolled the genius
of their religion. In the event of crucifixes having been found (for
which, however, Sir R. Manley supplies no authority) we need not be
surprised that the Christian topography was so far extended, since
the Christianity of China, between the seventh and the thirteenth
century, has been invincibly proved; and simultaneously, perhaps,
the aborigines of America received the symbol, [Greek: Eros mou
hestaurotai], which is peculiar to the Christian religion.
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